Ohio State Defensive Coordinator Jim Knowles is expected to leave Columbus for the same position at conference rival Penn State, according to multiple reports.
This move comes after three seasons in Columbus for an expected pay raise around $3 million. Ohio State returns veterans Caleb Downs, Davison Igbinosun, and Sonny Styles to the defense next year, which will break in eight new starters. The good news is that the “new faces” rotated for playing time and meaningful snaps over the last two seasons.
It is unusual as to why Knowles would make this move from a football standpoint as Ohio State finished the season ranked No. 1 in nearly every statistical category. The Buckeyes allowed 12.9 points per game and a stingy 254.6 yards per game this year.
However, on the personal side, Knowles is originally from the Philadelphia area and still has family around the region. In a sense, it is a homecoming for him.
Oklahoma’s Toby Rowland first reported the news, and sources have now confirmed the information to The Silver Bulletin.
Reliable sources confirm that barring last second change of heart, Jim Knowles is headed to Penn State. He has notified James Franklin that he’ll accept their offer of well over $3 million to be highest paid coordinator in college football history. Knowles is from Philly.
— Toby Rowland (@TRowOU) January 26, 2025
Penn State is hoping to follow the same blueprint for a National Title as Michigan and Ohio State in each of the last two seasons. Still, James Franklin has a steeper mountain to climb than the Wolverines and Buckeyes, which were at the doorstep. RBs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen both announced they are returning next season alongside QB Drew Allar.
Yahoo Sports, Ross Dellenger adds further details to the developing story saying the deal is expected to be announced as early as Monday morning.
Jim Knowles’ deal with Penn State – board approval could come as soon as Monday morning – is expected to make him the highest-paid coordinator in the country.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) January 26, 2025
After winning the First Round game and Quarterfinal, Penn State faced Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl CFP Semifinal and lost. However, the Nittany Lions defeated two of the weakest teams in the bracket to get there.
Hiring Knowles is a colossal move for the Penn State football program. James Franklin’s achilles heel is big games, so will the addition of Jim Knowles be the difference between winning and losing on the national stage?
This is a developing story, so stay tuned to The Silver Bulletin for updates surrounding Jim Knowles and Ohio State defensive coordinator search.
Blake Biscardi, a native of Pickerington, Ohio, is The Silver Bulletin’s Senior Editor and the Creator & Host of the Saturday Cadence podcast, a national college football show. As a trusted voice on Ohio State, the Big Ten, and College Football Playoff since 2016, Biscardi is a proud member of the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and a two-time Graduate of Temple University in Philadelphia.